TexasKen
Well-known member
After being in our home 20+ years I’ve almost run out of home renovation projects and have decided to concentrate on the garage. Time to clean out, reengineer, and prepare for future retirement.
When we first got married we were able to get both cars in the garage. But after kids, 20+ years of collecting junk, and several major home projects, the garage had become quite cluttered. I started socking money away for the project last year, and my dear sweet wonderful wife told me not to worry about a budget – spend whatever you want! Either she knows how much this means to me or I’m gonna get hit with a big surprise when it’s all done! I’m still trying to be very frugal and reuse whatever I can find. The space will serve as part man cave, part workshop for wood working projects and maybe a home based business someday in the future.
Our house was built in 1958 in Richardson TX (suburb north of Dallas). Garage is 2-car detached with lap siding and a hip roof. Measures 20 x 24 with an insulated double door. Constantly having to replace rotten wood on the sides but I will do a better job of outside maintenance now that its my man cave.
Started looking through GJ, gathering ideas and thinking through what I wanted, what I could afford, and where stuff should go that would work for me. I spent July thru Nov getting the garage cleaned out and had a garage sale in December. The weather was bad so didn’t sell a lot, but took 3 car loads to Goodwill. During all the cleanout I did manage to get the workbench refurbished, painted and setup.
Now its time to execute the rebuild:
When we first got married we were able to get both cars in the garage. But after kids, 20+ years of collecting junk, and several major home projects, the garage had become quite cluttered. I started socking money away for the project last year, and my dear sweet wonderful wife told me not to worry about a budget – spend whatever you want! Either she knows how much this means to me or I’m gonna get hit with a big surprise when it’s all done! I’m still trying to be very frugal and reuse whatever I can find. The space will serve as part man cave, part workshop for wood working projects and maybe a home based business someday in the future.
Our house was built in 1958 in Richardson TX (suburb north of Dallas). Garage is 2-car detached with lap siding and a hip roof. Measures 20 x 24 with an insulated double door. Constantly having to replace rotten wood on the sides but I will do a better job of outside maintenance now that its my man cave.
Started looking through GJ, gathering ideas and thinking through what I wanted, what I could afford, and where stuff should go that would work for me. I spent July thru Nov getting the garage cleaned out and had a garage sale in December. The weather was bad so didn’t sell a lot, but took 3 car loads to Goodwill. During all the cleanout I did manage to get the workbench refurbished, painted and setup.
Now its time to execute the rebuild:
- Structural support – there are only 5 joist (spaced about 4 feet apart) that have sagged a little. Going to jack up and install brace supports connected to the roof rafters. I do use the attic space for light storage so will also do a little decking.
- Install a door to the back yard
- Update electrical – Garage already had 30amp service from the house. A few years ago we had the house panel replaced, so at that time had the electrician install a 100amp panel. Just need to run all the outlets and install the breakers with the help of an electrician friend. Will install 3 or 4 220 outlets just in case. I’ve got a layout planned so know where I need outlets – a lot!
- Install a thru the wall AC unit – 12000BTU – I am in Texas and AC is a must for 8 mths and heat for 2-3 mths. One of the 220 outlets will be power the AC unit.
- Run a water line to the garage and put in a sink. Will drain to a dry well behind the garage. I’ll be careful not to put anything toxic down the drain. Also will get a little 2 gal water heater.
- Insulate – hoping to do foam (at least for the roof since it will be open and basically a cathedral ceiling. The walls may need to be fiberglass or rock wool, just want something that will not mold or attractive to rodents.
- Wall covering - OSB, shiplap (reclaimed from a closet partition wall that used to be in the garage) and some reclaimed wood.
- Cabinets – want everything possible in cabinets so will build cabinets for lawn, sports and misc equipment. Have already bought some upper cabinets at HD for misc tool storage
- Floor – still debating on what to do – nothing, VCT or epoxy…..
Ha! since my garage does face the street that could be interesting on occasion...
Good thing I enjoy working on the place. Just finished interior barn doors What's next?
. The garage!
